Wild West: Sean West struggles in his first start of the spring

JUPITER -- Sean West made his first start of the spring Wednesday and he had major trouble locating the plate when the Marlins hosted the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium.

West’s first five pitches were all balls, with the last one hitting Met Daniel Murphy, putting two men on before West threw his first strike.

West would throw 51 pitches, 25 for strikes, while walking four, hitting one, throwing a wild pitch and giving up four hits and three runs before walking off the mound with two outs in the second inning.

“It is more a mental issue than a physical issue,” Marlins pitching coach Randy St. Claire said after the Wednesday’s game. “He just didn’t look real comfortable or confident out there. He can’t work behind hitters all the time.”

At 6-foot-8, 260 pounds, West, 25, is an imposing figure on the mound, but after being picked by the Marlins in the first round in 2005, West has been unable to make his pitches imposing and has been stuck in the minors.

He is out of options, meaning if he doesn’t make the roster out of spring training, he will have to clear waivers before the Marlins can send him back to the minors.

“It is early in the spring. It is up to him to step up and change it. He is going to get the ball a few more times. The ball is in his court,” St. Claire said.

Wednesday’s game one recap: The Mets beat the Marlins 7-0. The Marlins first hit came in the bottom of the fifth on a double by Donnie Murphy. Justin Turner had a home run for the Mets. Mets starter Jon Niese did not allow a hit and walked one in two innings.

The Marlins host Florida International at Miami Park at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the second game of the day.